We Believe
- The Holy Scriptures
- The Ancient Creeds
- The Two Sacraments
- The Historic Episcopate
The Holy Scriptures
We believe in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God, as the rule and ultimate standard of faith, and containing all things necessary for salvation.
The Holy Scriptures form the very fabric of everything we say, pray, read, sing, teach and preach when the congregation gathers for worship.
We use the Book of Common Prayer for our pattern of worship, and about 80% of the prayer book’s content is lifted directly from pages of scripture.
In other words, the divine worship of God and the sacred teachings of the church are one in the same. Or, better yet, we worship God using the Word of God.
We do lots of reading in church!
We have not one…not two…not three…but FOUR lessons of Holy Scripture when we gather for worship.
We encourage you to read scripture at home too!
The Book of Common Prayer provides a schedule for families and individuals who want to read the Bible at home on a regular basis. Another helpful source for daily scripture reading is Forward Day-by-Day, available on-line or in printed booklets.
The Holy Scriptures form the very fabric of everything we say, pray, read, sing, teach and preach when the congregation gathers for worship.
We use the Book of Common Prayer for our pattern of worship, and about 80% of the prayer book’s content is lifted directly from pages of scripture.
In other words, the divine worship of God and the sacred teachings of the church are one in the same. Or, better yet, we worship God using the Word of God.
We do lots of reading in church!
We have not one…not two…not three…but FOUR lessons of Holy Scripture when we gather for worship.
- The first lesson is from the Old Testament (except in the Easter season when it's from the Book of Acts).
- The second lesson is from the Psalms of David.
- The third lesson is from the New Testament Letters, also known as the Epistles.
- The fourth lesson is from one of the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
We encourage you to read scripture at home too!
The Book of Common Prayer provides a schedule for families and individuals who want to read the Bible at home on a regular basis. Another helpful source for daily scripture reading is Forward Day-by-Day, available on-line or in printed booklets.
Tell us...
If you live in or near Cowan, send us a quick e-mail or leave a message on the church telephone at (931) 636-6313. |
Pray this beautiful prayer:
Think about the importance of Holy Scripture in Christian worship and in daily discipleship. Then take a moment to say this this beautiful 15th Century prayer: “Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” |
The Ancient Creeds
The word creed comes from the Latin verb credo, which means “I believe”.
We receive and accept the Apostles’ Creed as the Baptismal Symbol.
We receive and accept the Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
We receive and accept the Apostles’ Creed as the Baptismal Symbol.
We receive and accept the Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
The Apostles' Creed
The Apostles’ Creed is an ancient statement of Christian belief that dates as far back as the Second Century.
It was written after the Apostles had died so that their sacred teachings would be summarized, preserved, and passed down. We typically say the Apostles’ Creed during prayer services, such as Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer. Whenever the church receives a new believer through Baptism, the congregation says the Baptismal Covenant, which is based on the Apostles’ Creed. The close association of the Apostles’ Creed with baptism is why we sometimes refer to it as the Baptismal Symbol. |
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. |
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is a statement of the Christian faith dating back to the First Council of Nicaea in the Year 325 A.D. and revised/expanded at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D.
It provides a sufficient summary of what the church universally believes and also serves as a teaching tool. We typically say the Nicene Creed in church services where Holy Communion (also known as the Lord’s Supper) is celebrated. Why does the church have creeds? In the early church, there were some conflicting views about who Jesus was. The creeds came into use to unify the church around the sacred teachings of the Apostles and to expose false teachings that threatened to divide the church. The creeds do not replace the Bible and we do not say that they supplement the Bible. Instead, they are a direct reflection of what the Bible teaches. Saying the creeds in worship and taking their words to heart keeps the church of today in step with the church throughout the ages. Are there other creeds? Yes. We also recognize The Creed of St. Athanasius, an ancient statement verifying the Holy Trinity. Although we do not say this creed as part of worship, we do make a point to read and reflect on it as a teaching tool. |
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. |
The Two Sacraments
We celebrate the two sacraments ordained by Christ himself: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – ministered with the unfailing use of Christ’s words of Institution, and of the elements ordained by him.
The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.
The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.
Holy Baptism
Holy baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and marks us as members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.
The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.
In baptism we are required to renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
This congregation invites those who have not been baptized into the household of faith to make that important step of faith and begin a new life in Christ our Savior.
The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.
In baptism we are required to renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
This congregation invites those who have not been baptized into the household of faith to make that important step of faith and begin a new life in Christ our Savior.
Holy Eucharist - Holy Communion - the Lord's Supper
The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again.
Eucharist is the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself. The word Eucharist means “thanksgiving”. In other words, when the church gathers to “celebrate Eucharist” we are offering a gift of “praise and thanksgiving”.
The outward and visible sign in the Eucharist is bread and wine, given and received according to the words and instructions of the Lord Jesus as recorded in scripture.
The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ given to his people, and received by faith.
The benefits which we receive in the Lord’s Supper is the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life.
Before receiving Holy Communion, we are required to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be at peace with others.
This congregation celebrates Holy Eucharist on a regular basis, generally every other Sunday and on other holy occasions. All who are baptized into the Christian faith and who are in live in charity with all people are invited to participate.
Eucharist is the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself. The word Eucharist means “thanksgiving”. In other words, when the church gathers to “celebrate Eucharist” we are offering a gift of “praise and thanksgiving”.
The outward and visible sign in the Eucharist is bread and wine, given and received according to the words and instructions of the Lord Jesus as recorded in scripture.
The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ given to his people, and received by faith.
The benefits which we receive in the Lord’s Supper is the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life.
Before receiving Holy Communion, we are required to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be at peace with others.
This congregation celebrates Holy Eucharist on a regular basis, generally every other Sunday and on other holy occasions. All who are baptized into the Christian faith and who are in live in charity with all people are invited to participate.
Other sacramental rites
There are other sacramental rites that evolved in the early church. Although they are means of grace, they are not necessary for all persons in the way that Baptism and the Eucharist are.
These other rites include confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction.
Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Ordination is the rite in which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons, through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows.
Reconciliation of a Penitent is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.
Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of the spirit, mind, and body.
These other rites include confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction.
Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Ordination is the rite in which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons, through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows.
Reconciliation of a Penitent is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.
Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of the spirit, mind, and body.
The Historic Episcopate
We believe in the succession of bishops in the history of the church from the Apostles until present time.
The ministry of a bishop is to represent Christ and his church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.
Bishops, through prayer and the laying on of hands, ordain other bishops, as well as priests and deacons to represent Christ and his church.
Lay persons are ministers who represent Christ and his church as well.
It is the duty of all Christians to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread if the kingdom of God.
The ministry of a bishop is to represent Christ and his church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.
Bishops, through prayer and the laying on of hands, ordain other bishops, as well as priests and deacons to represent Christ and his church.
Lay persons are ministers who represent Christ and his church as well.
It is the duty of all Christians to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread if the kingdom of God.